The Fort Bragg Game
Yesterday was everything I could've hoped it would be. And SO much more.
It is a day that will forever be etched into our hearts - a dear and personal reminder of the freedom we enjoy because of the sacrifices of others. Every day of my life, I'm able to serve and love and believe in the God that I trust without physical persecution. This is thanks to them. Every day of my life, I'm able to kiss my husband and freely explore our country with my baby. This is thanks to them. Every day of my life, I am able to grocery shop, fill my gas tank, talk on my phone, drive to the field, run errands, visit restaurants, play at the park, and anything else I so desire to do. This freedom is mine to entertain because so many selfless people give their lives to defend this nation. We are sitting ducks without our military. We are not free without our military. Praise God that there are men and women all around us that honor the calling to a life that has such deep and lasting responsibilities.
Yesterday, history was made as the MLB paired up with the soldiers at Fort Bragg to bring the first-ever sporting contest to a military base. This monumental day fell on Adam's start against the Atlanta Braves and what an honor it was for me to watch him take the ball. I can't imagine I'll ever experience again the feelings I felt last night. Watching the service members watch the game brought up so many emotions that I didn't realize I held. Deep, raw emotions. But beautiful ones.
Yesterday, I sat among families torn apart by time and space - year long deployments separating daddies and mommies from the dear faces of their children. Spouses lonely for their beloved. Parents missing their children - wondering when or if they'll see them again. I was surrounded by people with lumps in their throats and aching hearts. Long days and even longer nights. It gave me perspective about my own aching heart - sitting here on my computer in Miami while Adam is away for three days in New York. The days when he's gone feel so long. They're hard. They're lonely. We're always waiting for that next call - that next text - and when we're lucky, that next FaceTime. The longest Amelia's gone without seeing her Dada face to face was two weeks. And by the time that thirteenth day rolled around, we were done. Exhausted. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. I can't begin to fathom what it would be like if that were my permanent reality for months or even years. Yet, these faithful servants pour out everything they have for their own families while at the same time, maintaining my own freedoms without ever having met me. I just can't even begin to say thank you enough. Seeing daddies cuddled up next to their children, watching them smile and laugh and giggle and prod - my heart just couldn't handle it. Moms swaying their babies, sons pointing foam #1 fingers, ponytailed girls skipping down the stairs, families eating hot dogs and chanting "USA USA" while the wave circled the park. It was the most beautiful, romantic, awe inspiring baseball moment I've ever witnessed. Truly a blessing and one I'll always hold close.
As I considered everything about yesterday, I came to a neat place of thought:
Adam's parents met in the military. And because these two heroes followed a calling into service, Adam and his brother Jeremy - who also served - were born. The full-circle of yesterday just sort of hit me in that moment. Adam - a child born of military roots - performed in front of a packed stadium of 12,582 military members. Incredible. It's fascinating how things happen like that. Praise Jesus.
Before I bombard this post with (35) photos and (2) videos, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to those of you who've sacrificed far more than I ever have or will in protecting this country. Your noble deeds and extreme acts of bravery do not go unnoticed. We applaud you. We thank you. And we do love you. Especially you, Larry. Katy. Papa. Jacob. Jeremy. Mel. Jon.
AMERICA!
(Below I've mostly just captioned the sights and sounds of yesterday. Enjoy!)
Yesterday was everything I could've hoped it would be. And SO much more.
It is a day that will forever be etched into our hearts - a dear and personal reminder of the freedom we enjoy because of the sacrifices of others. Every day of my life, I'm able to serve and love and believe in the God that I trust without physical persecution. This is thanks to them. Every day of my life, I'm able to kiss my husband and freely explore our country with my baby. This is thanks to them. Every day of my life, I am able to grocery shop, fill my gas tank, talk on my phone, drive to the field, run errands, visit restaurants, play at the park, and anything else I so desire to do. This freedom is mine to entertain because so many selfless people give their lives to defend this nation. We are sitting ducks without our military. We are not free without our military. Praise God that there are men and women all around us that honor the calling to a life that has such deep and lasting responsibilities.
Yesterday, history was made as the MLB paired up with the soldiers at Fort Bragg to bring the first-ever sporting contest to a military base. This monumental day fell on Adam's start against the Atlanta Braves and what an honor it was for me to watch him take the ball. I can't imagine I'll ever experience again the feelings I felt last night. Watching the service members watch the game brought up so many emotions that I didn't realize I held. Deep, raw emotions. But beautiful ones.
Yesterday, I sat among families torn apart by time and space - year long deployments separating daddies and mommies from the dear faces of their children. Spouses lonely for their beloved. Parents missing their children - wondering when or if they'll see them again. I was surrounded by people with lumps in their throats and aching hearts. Long days and even longer nights. It gave me perspective about my own aching heart - sitting here on my computer in Miami while Adam is away for three days in New York. The days when he's gone feel so long. They're hard. They're lonely. We're always waiting for that next call - that next text - and when we're lucky, that next FaceTime. The longest Amelia's gone without seeing her Dada face to face was two weeks. And by the time that thirteenth day rolled around, we were done. Exhausted. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. I can't begin to fathom what it would be like if that were my permanent reality for months or even years. Yet, these faithful servants pour out everything they have for their own families while at the same time, maintaining my own freedoms without ever having met me. I just can't even begin to say thank you enough. Seeing daddies cuddled up next to their children, watching them smile and laugh and giggle and prod - my heart just couldn't handle it. Moms swaying their babies, sons pointing foam #1 fingers, ponytailed girls skipping down the stairs, families eating hot dogs and chanting "USA USA" while the wave circled the park. It was the most beautiful, romantic, awe inspiring baseball moment I've ever witnessed. Truly a blessing and one I'll always hold close.
As I considered everything about yesterday, I came to a neat place of thought:
Adam's parents met in the military. And because these two heroes followed a calling into service, Adam and his brother Jeremy - who also served - were born. The full-circle of yesterday just sort of hit me in that moment. Adam - a child born of military roots - performed in front of a packed stadium of 12,582 military members. Incredible. It's fascinating how things happen like that. Praise Jesus.
Before I bombard this post with (35) photos and (2) videos, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to those of you who've sacrificed far more than I ever have or will in protecting this country. Your noble deeds and extreme acts of bravery do not go unnoticed. We applaud you. We thank you. And we do love you. Especially you, Larry. Katy. Papa. Jacob. Jeremy. Mel. Jon.
AMERICA!
(Below I've mostly just captioned the sights and sounds of yesterday. Enjoy!)
Fort Bragg says "WELCOME!"
We walked through security (service men and women dressed in their gear - so cool!) and were immediately met with the sweet sounds of freedom. Amelia was pumped. Mom was pumped-er!
VIP and home plate entrance.
I can't get over all they were able to accomplish in just four short months. From absolutely nothing but a dead and unused golf course in March, to this! Beautiful. Outstanding.
Mimi made an immediate friend right as we entered the gates!
A panorama of the hospitality tent the troops and MLB set up for their VIP and home plate guests, complete with a bar, food options, tables and chairs, flowers, free WIFI, a TV, music, and covered picnic tables!
Like, seriously?!
They couldn't have done a better job.
Everything was perfect and beautiful...even after Amelia attempted to move all the flower pots!
If you scroll up to the previous photo, you'll notice entrances to the left and right of Amelia's head. That's where we entered the stands and this photo here is what it looks like upon entering!
The first thing we saw - Marlins BP!
Welcome to Fort Bragg Field!
Before the game began, videos of military members played on the screen.
Heroic, real-life stories about soldiers injured in battle and their fight to regain what they left behind.
The lineup.
The starting pitcher <3
So many firsts!
An historic event unlike any other!
The press box.
Amelia getting a good look at the program.
Fort Bragg Field in all it's beauty!
Our best girl made so many friends yesterday. Miss Gingee was her favorite.
Military Police just like Uncle Jacob!
The most beautiful national anthem there ever was.
God bless America.
What a sight!
Gives me chills remembering this moment.
I didn't realize there would be a flyover (I guess I should've assumed there'd be one?), and so, I only caught the very end of it. But a little bit is better than nothing, right?! Papa, I'll bet you can name every single one of those helicopters!
PLAY BALL!
Adam pitched an incredible game.
I somehow knew that he would.
And even though the end result of this game wouldn't have mattered as much to me as normal, I just had this feeling that Adam wouldn't let this one get away from him. He didn't tell me so, but I know he carried a significant weight last night. One that he respected and wanted to honor. For everyone watching, but I'm guessing mostly, for those most dear to him. He never got a chance to serve in the military like the rest of his family, and though I've only barely spoken to him since last night (with all the travel and scattered game times), I can guess with almost 100% certainty that his performance was his own small way of giving back to his family and to his country.
With his entire family watching - and so many more - Adam didn't disappoint.
He pitched six shutout innings and recorded his very first hit of the year.
On-base looks good on you, Babe. Especially in North Carolina. On a...base ;)
Yaaaaaay Dada!!
Our little FishFan was all about the Stars and Strikes last night!
The small scoreboards.
We couldn't figure out how they worked - it looked as though they were mesh netting with the lights illuminated onto them. But we weren't certain. Either way, they did an amazing job with them, once again. And Adam's stats didn't look too bad either!
Fort Bragg at night. Bottom of the sixth.
Adam was done after six strong innings of work.
And I am so proud of his effort.
6IP, 4H, 0R, 1BB, 2K, a hit and the W!
He's now 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA
Once Dada was done, we ran down the stairs, grabbed some food, and stood in line for some Fort Bragg merchandise. While standing in line, I heard the announcer say that the game was "trending" on Twitter and that they needed to give America more reason to love on them! That's when the chants "USA USA" began and as I looked at Amelia, I could only smile. What a great country we live in! And then, I looked at Twitter.
#1 and #7.
The world was watching!
And this is exactly how we felt!
Though it was actually a Braves home game, the Fish took the win in the end. I'm not sure that anybody really cared though - they were just thrilled that they could take a break from their lives and enjoy their own piece of Fourth of July freedom, just like they deserved.
From our family to yours,
THANK YOU.
Thank you MLB for initiating this historic event. Thank you to the field operations and the staffers who worked long days and nights to see this game to fruition. Thank you, Marlins, for allowing my small family this experience. Thank you Fort Bragg for hosting this treasured piece of history. But most of all, thank you to all those who have given their time, treasures, talents, and lives to protect this country. Your sacrifices are immeasurable. We are so grateful.
And just because she's 16-months and the cutest thing alive, a little home plate stompin for Amelia!
All smiles.
Even now as I type this, a grin stretches across my face.
Notice in the middle, Hines Ward, flanked by two front office members of the Marlins. Ha!
What a night!
What. A. Night!
________________________________
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
-Romans 8:1-2
The greatest freedom you'll ever know is the freedom found in Christ.
Happy Independence Day, my dear friends.
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